The 10 Best Bluetooth Receivers

This wiki has been updated 18 times since it was first published in June of 2015. Though flying cars were promised way back in the 1960s, we still don't have any. But technological progress hasn't failed in every way. We do have Bluetooth receivers. They might not seem flashy today, but imagine telling someone from the past they could play music from their phone wirelessly over any stereo. Also that the phone was a tiny computer in their pocket. They'd have their mind blown.
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This wiki has been updated 18 times since it was first published in June of 2015. Though flying cars were promised way back in the 1960s, we still don't have any. But technological progress hasn't failed in every way. We do have Bluetooth receivers. They might not seem flashy today, but imagine telling someone from the past they could play music from their phone wirelessly over any stereo. Also that the phone was a tiny computer in their pocket. They'd have their mind blown.
When users buy our independently chosen editorial
recommendations,
we may earn commissions to
help fund the Wiki.
Skip to the best bluetooth receiver on Amazon.

10. Bose Wireless Adapter

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The Bose Wireless Adapter has a simple setup and offers a particular kind of freedom through the company's SoundTouch app, which allows you to connect with other branded speaker systems throughout your home over your Wi-Fi network.

9. Etekcity Roverbeats

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With the NFC-capability of the Etekcity Roverbeats it's exceptionally easy to pair your likewise-enabled mobile devices. It's small and portable enough to function admirably as an audio adapter in your automobiles, as well.

8. AmazonBasics 4.0

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The AmazonBasics 4.0 is about as simple as the market has to offer. It has an operating range of up to 30 feet, provided there is a clear sight line, and it comes with all the rudiments you'll need to get started. Its sound quality, though, is middling at best.

7. Logitech Audio Adapter

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The Logitech Audio Adapter features multipoint Bluetooth connectivity, so you can connect your tablet, phone, and computer simultaneously and stream music from any of them. It also works with any powered speakers that have a standard 3.5 mm or RCA connection.

6. CoolStream Duo BTR100

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The CoolStream Duo BTR100 breathes life back into your old, expensive iPod dock with a secure connection into the 30 pin connector. Now, you can stream music wirelessly to older devices that would have previously required plugging in.

5. Mpow G-2

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The Mpow G-2 only requires a simple one-button touch to switch between transmitter and receiver modes. Its fast Bluetooth 4.1 capability even makes it useful for watching movies or playing video games without the sound going out of sync.

4. Amphony Model 300

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The Amphony Model 300 integrates an advanced Bluetooth audio receiver and a state-of-the art stereo power amplifier to provide big sound through 2 channels with 40 watts of RMS power. Plus, it automatically enters sleep mode when not in use.

3. HomeSpot NFC

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You get superior performance using the HomeSpot NFC. It is capable of storing up to eight paired devices for quick and easy transfers, has a transmission range of over 60 feet, plus the housing is compact and sleek, which will fit well in any high-tech home.

2. StarTech BT2A

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The StarTech BT2A is a good choice when you are interested in a solid range of options you might find elsewhere, but at a more reasonable price. One of the best aspects is the ease with which it allows you to reliably connect or reconnect.

1. Audioengine B1 Premium

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The Audioengine B1 Premium simplifies the streaming process. It allows for super quick pairing, and uses a high-quality audio converter for uncompromised sound. It also has a precision-tuned antenna to extend the wireless range.

How Bluetooth Technology Works

If you're not familiar with Bluetooth technology, well then you've probably been living under a rock for the last decade.

Each of the standard Bluetooth channels has a 1 MHz bandwidth, while the new Bluetooth low energy technology uses 2 MHz spacing over 40 channels.

If you're not familiar with Bluetooth technology, well then you've probably been living under a rock for the last decade. Just in case there are a few of you who have been using it without knowing what it's called, you know that nifty little setting on your phone that lets you wirelessly stream music and other data to a pair of speakers or a TV? That's Bluetooth and it's probably one of the coolest things to happen to the mainstream consumer society since well, the smartphone itself.

It allows us to exchange data over short distances and to build small personal area networks by utilizing short wavelength UHF radio waves from 2.4 to 2,485 GHz. It can be broadcast from fixed or mobile devices and allows you to connect with other devices, even if you don't currently have access to a wireless internet source.

Bluetooth is a packet-based protocol, which means it divides data into suitably sized blocks for faster transmission. This makes it extremely efficient and able to transmit a large amount of data nearly instantaneously. Each packet is transferred via one of 79 channels that have been designated for Bluetooth. Each of the standard Bluetooth channels has a 1 MHz bandwidth, while the new Bluetooth low energy technology uses 2 MHz spacing over 40 channels. When it makes a connection, it continuously hops between the different channels to ensure it has the most stable and the fastest connection possible.

The technology is designed with a master-slave structure and each master has the ability to control up to seven slaves, or devices. All of the connected slaves share the master's clock and the packet exchange timing is based on this shared clock, which ticks at 312.5 µs intervals. It takes two ticks to make up what is known as a slot and all data is sent or received in a slot. The data transfer is timed so that the master sends out information on even slots and receives in odd slots. The slave does the opposite and sends out information on odd slots and receives on even slots to prevent any jumbled communications.

History Of Bluetooth Technology

Bluetooth made its first appearance in the 1940's when World War II was in full swing. The initial development was mostly undertaken by Hedy Lamaar and George Antheil, and it was intended to be a radio guidance system for Allied torpedoes. Because of its unique frequency hopping technology, it was able to workaround the Axis's jamming systems. Unfortunately it was never really implemented and dropped by the wayside until the Navy began to use it in the 1960's. While this wasn't exactly the type of Bluetooth we are using in our phones today, it was the beginnings.

By 1994, the company had it working, but not quite up to its full potential.

Decades later in 1989, work on the technology began again in earnest. It was initiated by the CTO of Swedish communications and technology company Ericcson and Dr. Johan Ullman. By 1994, the company had it working, but not quite up to its full potential. They realized that to produce the best technology possible, they would need development help from other major players in the industry, many of which were already working on a similar technology of their own. They invited Nokia, Toshiba, and Intel to set up a joint development project. Intel took them up on their invitation and by 1998 the technology was ready for launch.

Initially they touted the technology as being able to transfer up to 721 kpbs, which didn't have the intended wow factor as many people in the industry rebuffed them, saying that WiFi could offer a lot more. As it turns out, Bluetooth did in fact have a future as today it reaches impressive speeds upwards of 20Mbps.

Originally the technology was called MC Link, but later renamed as Bluetooth in an homage to the tenth-century Scandinavian king, Harald "Blåtand" Gormsson, also known as Harald Bluetooth. He united the dissonant Danish tribes into a single kingdom and, since Bluetooth unites communication protocols into a single universal standard and was created by a Scandinavian company, it seemed a fitting term. The well-known Bluetooth logo is actually the merging of two Younger Futhark runes with Harald's initials.

Picking The Right Bluetooth Receiver

When it comes time to pick the right Bluetooth receiver for your needs, one of the most important factors to take into consideration is the transmission range between your receiver and your transmitting device. Some receivers have a considerably wider range than others, so some may be more suitable for commercial use or in larger homes where you have more distance to cover. Others might work perfectly for your needs in a smaller home and might also be a better fit for your budget.

The next thing to keep in mind is compatibility with your devices. While this usually isn't a problem nowadays as most Bluetooth technologies are backwards compatible, meaning they work with older versions of Bluetooth, it should still be double checked. There is nothing worse than buying a Bluetooth receiver and finding out it won't work with your transmitting device.

If you intend to have multiple devices connected to a Bluetooth receiver at the same time, you should consider how many devices can be linked to your receiver before it drops a connection. Some may only allow connection to one device at a time, while others may allow for two or even three simultaneous connections.

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Ben is a writer from California. He mostly dives into film, videogames, and science fiction literature. Also Hello Kitty. He likes Hello Kitty a whole lot. Ben holds a bachelor's from the University of California, Santa Cruz, with a major in literature and a minor in linguistics. He has worked as a technical writer and edited his own online magazine and podcast. His expertise is in electronics, decor, textbooks and nonfiction, especially in the sciences and humanities.

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